Portland State University

I often ask myself why I went to Portland State University to complete my Masters degree. After all, I went to Michigan State for my Bachelors degree--a school with a top rated education program. Before moving to Portland, I had never even heard of PSU, but I ended up at PSU for the same reason most other students end up there: convenience. I love living in Portland, and PSU is the only public university in the vicinity. What does this prime location mean for Portland State students? It means the University doesn't have to deliver what University of Oregon in Eugene or Michigan State in East Lansing does. Other schools located in less desirable cities draw students in with promises of an excellent education, knowledgeable professors and guarantees of gainful employment. PSU doesn't have the burden of bothering with any of this.

Although in my heart of hearts I felt this to be true, I recently questioned whether I was just being reactionary, or if my assertions have fact behind them. During my time in the Graduate Teacher Education Program I had one--yes, just one, professor--whom I felt was truly working for me. I recently met up with him for a beer, and to discuss my lack of job, my frustrations and my questions. He echoed my sentiment; people don't go to PSU because it is great, and people don't teach at PSU because it is great--everyone is there because Portland is great. How lucky for the administrators at PSU.

Portland State's mission statement begins: "Our vision is to be an internationally recognized urban university known for excellence in student learning, innovative research, and community engagement that contributes to the economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and quality of life in the Portland region and beyond." Research is listed as one of their key tenets. According to my professor, only 3 out of well over 100 faculty member are actually doing research in the Graduate School of Education. This is obviously not a top priority for their department.

Also, if the school values contributing to the "economic vitality" and "quality of life in the Portland region" how can they justify graduating the majority of students with no job prospects? Does my unemployment really contribute to economic vitality or any one's quality of life? I currently cannot pay my loans, receive food stamps and have no health insurance.

PSU does not keep any statistics on the number of students who go on to find employment, but according to this one professor it is abysmal. I can only echo this sentiment-- 7 out of my 25 cohort members got jobs as teachers after graduation, and only 2 of these were full time. There were three other concurrent cohorts with similar numbers. Not to mention, this year the cohorts are even larger and employment possibilities are looking worse.

Three years ago, it became obvious to my professor that graduates were having a difficult time finding employment, so he voiced his concerns to the Dean of the School of Education. This professor suggested the faculty begin working on solutions; his own suggestions included letting in fewer students, creating a more elite program, pairing with school districts around the country. Imagine what another 90 people could come up with after brainstorming for a few hours! The Dean flat out ignored his cries. The issue was never addressed then, and to this day it still has not been addressed. I had my cohort leader, a professor at PSU, look me in the eye and tell me all of her students from the previous year were employed. This was a strait out lie. I spoke to a number of students from her cohort the year before me who are not teaching. They are subbing or working as education aides, but this hardly pays the bills. Nearly everyone at PSU is happy to put on their blinders.

Portland State does not want to deal with this issue. It does not care whether we are employed or not, contributing to the community or not. Portland State is in it to make money. It makes me sick, and angry and sad.

The one professor I had who I can say honestly cared about us as students is now so frustrated that he is retiring. He could not even go through the admissions process this year, selecting students, because it broke his heart so much. Portland State University will be far worse for losing him, but I don't think they honestly care.

What to do about this? I don't know. I'm open to suggestions or differing opinions. I want this to get better. As long as these problems exist I will never suggest anyone go through PSU's Graduate Teacher Education Program, but where does this leave those of us who already made the mistake?